Excellent from start to finish - Evans

Rotherham United boss Steve Evans was delighted with his side’s convincing 3-1 victory over promotion-chasing Northampton Town at New York Stadium.

Daniel Nardiello’s first-half penalty was added to after the break by goals from Ben Pringle and David Noble to give the Millers a valuable three points in their League Two promotion push.

“I thought that was an excellent performance both on and off the pitch. I asked the supporters to stay with us and the players were a little nervous in the first five minutes although we had most of the ball. If you don’t adapt to their style of play you get bullied by them but I thought our boys stood up well to them. Some of the football we played in the second-half though was outstanding.”

Jordan Slew put in a man of the match performance on his debut, after signing on Thursday evening, and Evans was pleased with his new striker, whilst not dismissing his other frontline options.

“It’s a shame that two or three minutes into the second half he had a great strike blocked. We’re right behind it and it’s flying into the bottom corner before a Northampton defender comes from nowhere like they do and got a block in. He ran the channels, he kept getting it into feet, looked strong and caused plenty of problems. Don’t forget Revell is in there as well, and I thought today that Daniel Nardiello was excellent.”

Michael O’Connor was withdrawn in the second period with a slight groin strain, added to the missing Lee Frecklington (ankle), meaning that Evans is looking for one or two of his players to get back on the mend before a trip to Burton next week.

“Thankfully we have no midweek game, every other week we have; luckily not this week because we have one or two carrying knocks. I can’t not mention David Noble and Michael O’Connor though. I said when we signed him (Noble), he’s one of only two or three guys on the pitch who could score that goal.”